Researchers at UW-Madison have identified a small DNA sequence, the +9.5 GATA2 switch site, that plays a crucial role in controlling GATA2 production and generating self-renewing blood stem cells.
A new study from Linköping University reveals that circadian rhythm disruptions can immediately inhibit blood vessel growth in zebrafish embryos. The research also shows that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production is key to normal circadian rhythm functioning.
A study published in PLOS Biology reveals how the brain's vascular network forms in zebrafish, driven by blood flow and influenced by a protein called Rac1. The researchers found that vessel pruning occurs at loop-forming segments, leading to a simplified final form of the vasculature.
Researchers have confirmed that normalizing blood vessels by blocking oxygen sensor PHD2 can make chemotherapy more effective. This strategy also reduces the harmful side effects of chemotherapy on healthy organs.
Scientists at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute found a molecule that promotes tumor vessel maturation, which could improve the effectiveness of anti-cancer therapies. By boosting R-Ras activity, researchers aim to normalize blood vessel structure and function in tumors, enabling better drug delivery.
Scientists at Western University have identified Nodal as a promising new therapeutic target for advanced breast cancer. The protein promotes vascularization, providing nutrients and oxygen to tumors, and its expression is correlated with more blood vessels in the tumor.
Research suggests autoantibodies contribute to blood vessel damage in the brain, exacerbating Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. Immunoadsorption therapy has shown promise in improving symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at UNC Health Care developed a non-invasive ultrasound method to detect cancer using blood vessel 'tortuosity.' This technique filters out tissue signals, allowing for clear visualization of small blood vessels. The study found a definitive difference between tumor and healthy vasculature, with limitations in detection depth.
La Jolla Institute scientist Klaus Ley reveals a novel mechanism played a major role in inflammation. Neutrophils use sling-like membrane tethers to latch on to blood vessel walls during high blood flow, providing new insights into critical biological mechanisms underlying heart disease and other disorders.
A Johns Hopkins University team found a protein molecule, p190RhoGAP, that regulates cardiac stem cells to form healthy heart tissue or blood vessels. By altering its levels, the researchers were able to improve the effectiveness of stem cell therapy in treating heart attack patients.
A study found that a high-salt diet can damage blood vessels, increasing the risk of developing hypertension. Researchers analyzed data from over 5,500 men and women and found that those consuming the most sodium were 21-86% more likely to develop high blood pressure.
Researchers found that a genetic risk factor for Alzheimer's disease triggers a cascade of signaling that leads to leaky blood vessels and toxic substance entry into brain tissue. Blocking cyclophilin A or using the drug cyclosporine A reversed damage in mice, restoring blood flow and reducing toxic substance leakage.
A new study funded by the NIH found that the ApoE4 gene variant damages blood vessels in the brain, leading to increased risk of Alzheimer's disease. The researchers discovered that ApoE4 triggers an inflammatory reaction that weakens the blood-brain barrier, allowing harmful substances to enter the brain.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy, a life-threatening heart condition, is revealed to be a vascular disease caused by an imbalance of angiogenic proteins in the heart. The study suggests that proangiogenic therapies may be beneficial treatments for this condition.
Researchers report a breakthrough treatment for invasive macular degeneration, using an oral nutriceutical that rapidly restores vision and improves overall eye health. In 16 successful cases, the treatment showed significant improvements in visual acuity, contrast vision, and circulatory health within 3-6 weeks.
Researchers have identified a molecule, PDE4, that plays a key role in regulating the division of tumor cells and blood vessel growth in lung cancer. By blocking PDE4, they were able to significantly reduce tumor growth in laboratory experiments and mouse models.
A research team has developed a new technique for creating human textiles by weaving donor cells into blood vessels, promising to reduce production costs. The technology uses a combination of cultured cells and medical-textile-making techniques to create strong, biocompatible fibers that can be woven into various structures.
A team led by Martin Friedlander at Scripps Research Institute has received a $10.2 million grant to develop a new treatment strategy for diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and other vision disorders. The approach targets a strand of micro-RNA that promotes abnormal blood vessel growth.
Research suggests that CD36 protein, involved in cellular inflammation, increases harmful effects of LDL cholesterol. Mice infected with gum disease bacteria showed increased fatty plaque accumulation, while those with deleted CD36 gene remained plaque-free.
Researchers at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center have discovered an antibody therapy that prevents lethal gastrointestinal damage following radiation exposure in mice. The treatment, which targets ceramide molecules, improved survival rates from 0% to 80% among mice exposed to high levels of ionizing radiation.
The study reveals that defective Notch signalling enables strong and deregulated vessel growth even when VEGF or VEGFR2 are inhibited. A different VEGF family receptor, VEGFR3, is strongly upregulated, promoting angiogenesis.
Scientists have developed lab-made, invisible filaments that resemble uncooked spaghetti with nanoscale dimensions, which can serve as scaffolds for tissue repair. These 'noodle gels' and 'spaghetti highways' could guide cells to specific locations for repair and deliver beneficial substances to diseased areas.
Gut bacteria influence intestinal blood vessel formation through a previously unknown mechanism, according to researchers at the University of Gothenburg. The study found that intestinal bacteria promote mucosal cells to attach sugar molecules to specific proteins, inducing signaling for new blood vessel formation.
A study led by UCSF researchers found that women with mild retinopathy are more likely to experience cognitive decline and related brain changes. The findings suggest retinopathy could serve as a simple eye screening tool for detecting early stages of vascular disease.
Researchers have found a protein called pregnane X receptor (PXR) that can sense harmful substances in the blood and activate protective pathways in blood vessels. This discovery has major implications for preventing cardiovascular disease, the UK's biggest killer.
A study published by Johns Hopkins scientists found no substantial evidence that brain cancer blood vessels are composed mainly of cancer cells. The research contradicts previous claims about the composition and potential impact on treatment strategies for these types of tumors.
Recent studies have demonstrated that flavanols and procyanidins play distinct roles in the human body, with flavanols being directly absorbed to exert cardiovascular benefits. In contrast, procyanidins are poorly absorbed and do not break down into flavanols, suggesting a need for more precise discrimination between these phytonutrients.
Researchers shed light on how vertebrates developed closed circulation systems, essential for carrying blood to organs and tissues. A specific domain in tRNA synthetase plays a crucial role in proper embryonic development, influencing key regulator of new blood vessel growth.
Researchers developed a three-dimensional living tissue model to study brain tumors and therapeutics, confirming iron-oxide nanoparticles can deliver tumstatin to blood vessels surrounding gliomas. The model allows for testing of agent characteristics in a realistic environment.
The experimental drug clazosentan reduced the risk of blood vessel spasm in patients with a brain aneurysm. Patients on higher doses of the drug experienced a significant reduction in vasospasm-related complications, including neurological deficits and respiratory issues.
The study reveals that Raf-1 regulates cell adhesion, enabling cells to form new bonds and new blood vessels. The discovery may lead to cancer treatment approaches by targeting Raf-1 and disrupting tumor environments.
A new genre of medical imaging technology uses optical techniques to peer below the skin and through muscle and bone, revealing body structures. Devices such as blood vessel mappers and cancer detectors are already in use or in development, providing non-invasive views for diagnosis and study.
A Northwestern University study identified a gene that prevents blood vessels from forming in the cornea, which is essential for vision. The researchers hope to use this discovery as a basis for gene therapy to treat multiple eye disorders that cause blindness.
Researchers from Yale have devised a way to monitor the growth of laboratory-engineered blood vessels after implantation in patients using MRI and nanoparticle technology. This advance allows for noninvasive monitoring of engineered tissues, which is crucial for personalized medical treatments.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine discovered that the protein Shc plays a vital role in forming new blood vessels through its ability to coordinate signals from growth factors and extracellular matrix. This finding highlights the importance of understanding molecular mechanisms in disease development and treatment.
Researchers developed genetically engineered blood vessels that can secrete erythropoietin, reversing anemia in mice. The system also has an on/off control mechanism, allowing for flexible dosing and minimizing antibiotic exposure.
Researchers discovered a crucial brain area, neuro-hypophysis, where biochemical commands are passed from the brain to the bloodstream. They found that oxytocin, known as the 'hormone of love,' plays a key role in the development of this structure, governing blood vessel formation during embryonic stages.
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University found that infiltration of white blood cells into expectant mothers' blood vessels may explain high blood pressure in pregnancy. This discovery could lead to novel treatments for preeclampsia, a leading cause of premature delivery and maternal mortality worldwide.
Researchers found that patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis have elevated levels of the protein Flt1, which hinders blood vessel repair. This impairment contributes to disease progression and increases the risk of kidney failure in these patients. Inhibiting Flt1 may help improve blood vessel repair and reduce this risk.
A new study found that a drug treatment called fasudil prevents the formation of lesions in cerebral cavernous malformation, a brain blood vessel abnormality. The treatment was tested in mice and showed promise as a potential replacement for complex surgery.
A recent study found that applying mechanical forces to a wound site immediately after healing began can disrupt vascular growth and prevent bone healing. However, delaying the application of mechanical stress until later in the healing process can enhance functional bone regeneration through adaptive remodeling.
Researchers have identified four new 'ZIP codes' in the human blood vessel network that could help fight cancer, obesity and other diseases. These shared addresses were found to be associated with specific receptors and ligands, opening up new avenues for targeted therapies.
A team of researchers has identified a way for the brain to protect itself when its energy supply is running low. The brain uses a protein called AMPK to reduce the firing frequency of electrical impulses, conserving energy. This discovery could lead to new treatments for patients at risk of stroke.
A protein that promotes neuron growth and blood vessel formation appears to halt brain degeneration in a genetic disease, according to Northwestern University research published in Nature Medicine. The study suggests a link between aging and the development of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, a disease causing cerebellum degeneration.
University of North Carolina cardiologist Cam Patterson received the 2012 Judah Folkman Award in Vascular Biology. His groundbreaking work on angiogenesis and VEGF cell receptor signaling has led to basic research findings being translated into clinical trials for new cardiovascular therapies.
A study found that smokers are twice as likely to have strokes and almost a decade younger when they do. Quitting smoking reduces stroke risks significantly within 18 months.
Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center identified a molecular mechanism that regulates blood vessel formation. The Semaphorin-PlexinD1 signaling pathway, which limits VEGF growth, shows promise as a future therapeutic target for cancer treatment.
A new study reveals that hydrogen sulfide helps protect blood vessels from the complications of diabetes by controlling an early checkpoint in related processes. The researchers found that diabetic rats have lower levels of 'swamp gas' and improved blood vessel function after treatment.
A recent study confirms that long-term azithromycin treatment is associated with increased infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria, a serious complication in cystic fibrosis patients. The team identified autophagy impairment as the underlying mechanism, highlighting a clinical danger of pharmacological blockade.
Researchers are working to improve lung function in babies with heart defects by boosting the recycling system that enables blood vessels to handle excess blood volume. They've found that a key enzyme is insufficiently energized, and PPAR agonists may provide the necessary boost.
Fetal exposure to nicotine causes permanent changes in blood vessel behavior, leading to high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease in adulthood. This study provides novel information on the fetal programming underlying these risks.
A team of researchers has identified the MYLIP protein as a potential new target for lowering LDL cholesterol levels. The study found that the N342S polymorphism is associated with high total cholesterol and increased LDL receptor degradation in humans.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found that donated red blood cells lose their key feature to diminish lifesaving power with storage time. This loss can lead to complications in critically ill patients, prompting a search for ways to optimize transfusion benefits and extend stored blood's shelf life.
Research from the University of Pennsylvania suggests that ovarian cancer cells secrete chemical signals suppressing the immune system while promoting blood vessel growth. This discovery could lead to more effective cancer treatments by combining therapies targeting angiogenesis with those blocking immunosuppressive T-reg cells.
New research suggests that obstructive sleep apnea can cause changes in blood vessel function, reducing blood supply to the heart. Treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been shown to improve blood supply and function in study participants.
Researchers discovered a natural plant compound that blocks vessel growth by interfering with cellular adhesion, found to reduce tumor growth and improve treatment outcomes in animal models. The compound, dehydro-alpha-lapachone, was identified as a potential new class of antiangiogenesis drugs targeting blood vessel formation.
Dr. Napoleone Ferrara has made significant contributions to the understanding of angiogenesis, a process that plays a key role in cancer proliferation and various diseases. His research led to the development of new treatments for age-related macular degeneration and cancer.
A study found that certain white blood cells, called neutrophils, can re-enter the bloodstream and cause damage to unconnected organs after trauma or major surgery. Researchers believe this process is controlled by a protein on the surface of blood vessels called JAM-C.
Researchers have found that HDL cholesterol from patients with coronary artery disease has impaired anti-inflammatory effects on blood vessel-lining cells and fails to stimulate repair of the blood vessel lining. This study highlights the importance of considering not just abundance but also biological functions of HDL in preventing CAD.
A new study suggests that regenerative abnormalities associated with diabetes are widespread, affecting not only nerves but also blood vessel growth and Schwann cell proliferation. By promoting blood vessel and Schwann cell growth, researchers may be able to speed up axon regeneration and repair damaged nerves and blood vessels.